Improvement in fire-escape ladders



1.8. PIERSUN.

Fire-Escape Ladders.

N0, 143,182, PatentedSeptemberZS,1873.

H am

si i im M NEN ESS TMll/ly U NTTED STATES PATENT OIEEICE.

JAMES S. PIERSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ESCAPE LADDERS.

Specification forming part of Leiters Patent No. 143,182, dated September 23,1873; application filed February 5, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, Jmmas S. PIEEsoN, of the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings and State of New York, have invented an Improved Fire-Escape and Ladder, of which the following is a specification:

Figure lis a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved ire-escape and ladder. Figs. 2 and 3 are detail longitudinal sections of the extension-tube.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts of the iigures.

This invention relates to a new apparatus for permitting the ready ascent of liremen to the upper parts of burning houses, and the escape therefrom of the occupants and the removal of their goods. And the invention consists, principally, in the use of a pivoted telescopic extension-tube, which is connected, by its hollowT pivot or trunnion, with a chamber containing compressed air, in such manner that when the compressed air is let into the tube it will, by its expansive force, cause the tube to be extended to the desired degree. The invention also consists in fitting around the several sections of the telescopic tube rings that are connected with each other by chains, so that such ring and chains will constitute a ladder on which the firemen can ascend and the parties from the house escape; and by meansof which, also, each upper section of the tube will, after it has been extended to its fullest limit, draw the next lower section upward during the expanding influence of the air.

In the accompanying drawing, the letter A represents a carriage or wheeled vehicle of suitable construction, supporting at or near one end a tank, B, which is charged with compressed air or equivalent compressed or expansive fluid. The pipe C leading into the tank B serves to receive and to discharge such compressed air, being provided with a three-way cock, D, which separates or connects it with a supply-pipe, E, or with a discharge-pipe, F, as may be desired. In standards G, which project from the frame of the wagon A, is pivoted a tube, H, by means of two projecting trunnions, a b. The trunnion a is hollow, and connects intimately with the pipe F, so that when the circula-tion between C and F is established, the compressed air from the tank B will enter the tube H at the lower end of the same, there being a tubular connection, d, provided between the khollow trunnion a and the lower end of said tube H.

A toothed segment, e, is rigidly connected with the tube H and meshes into a pinion, f, which, when turned by suitable mechanism, causes the tube H to be turned on its trunnions, and to be inclined in suitable direction or held vertical, or, if necessary, placed horizontally upon the top of the tank, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Into the tube H is tted from above a tube, I, slightly smaller in diameter than H, and into the upper part of the tube I a still smaller tube, J, all being so arranged that they form one extension-tube. This tube H I J can be telescoped or contracted and extended in suitable manner. It is evident that any number of sections desired may be used in this telescopic tube. By means of packing interposed between the contiguous outer and inner peripheries of the sections of tubing, the same are itted airtight, so that the compressed air entering them cannot escape `at the joints. When the compressed air is let into tube H from the tank B, it acts on the closed lower end of the uppermost section and pushes the same upward, and causes it, when it has been extended in its containing section I to the farthest extent, to draw, by an outer chain, L, said containing section I up with it, and this again causes, when fully extended, the next lower section to be drawn up, if more than two movable sections are applied. The chain L is as long as the tube H I J, when fully ex- M i tended, and is, by preference, made in two lengths and placed against opposite sides of said tubing. The chain is fastened, at the upper end of each section of tubing, to a ring, g, which is rigidly attached to the upper end of such section, and causes, thus, when one section has been extended and the chain pertaining to it stretched, the next section to be drawn up after it. Between the upper end o each section and its lower end there are rings h h connected with the chain, which rings h h loosely embrace such tubing and cause the chain to be kept slack when the tubing is contracted. These rin gs, together with the chain itself, constitute a ladder on Which persons can ascend and descend on the tubing to and from the uppermost end of the same. M is a basket or boX of suitable construction, pivoted to ears z' that project from the upper end oi' the uppermost section of the tube. Being pivoted, this basket or box always hangs in a perpendicular position, even if the tubing is inclined, and serves,therefore, as a safe means for receiving the matter to be saved from burning buildings and persons to be rescued. During transportation and when not to be used, the tube is entirely contractedin manner indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and

laid horizontally over the tank, so thatthe apparatus will then occupy but little room.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The chain L connected, With the iiXed links g, to the upper ends of the sections of the telescopic tubing, and with loose rings h that embrace said sections, as specified.

2. The hollow trunnion a applied to the telescopic tubing as a means oi' connecting the same With the air-tank, as set forth.

Witnesses: JAMES S. PIERSON.

A. V. BRIEsEN, MICHAEL RYAN. 

